The Florida Gators had several big name visitors on campus on Friday to watch the Gators’ second spring practice and talk to the coaching staff.
Linebacker K.J. Britt (6-1, 217, Oxford, AL High) was one of the prospects on campus and he stayed until Saturday, but received good news from Coach Jim McElwain on Friday.
“The visit was great, I loved it,” Britt said. “Coach McElwain offered me a scholarship during the visit on Friday. He was telling me that I fit the system and that I could benefit in their system. He told me that he wanted me to be a Gator so he was offering me a scholarship.”
Britt got the red carpet treatment from the coaching staff including one-on-one talks with linebackers coach Randy Shannon and Geoff Collins.
“I talk to Coach Shannon, Coach Collins and really the entire coaching staff,” he said. “I got to watch practice and watch how Coach Shannon coached the linebackers. It was great watching the linebackers study film and practice. It was electric.”
Shannon showed Britt film of the Florida Gators defense and told the linebacker that early playing time is available in Gainesville.
“He told me that they were going to lose JD [Jarrad Davis] another linebacker and then they were losing DMac [Daniel McMillian],” Britt said. “He said that I could come in and make impact at the position. He sees me playing either the Mike or the Will linebacker spot.”
The Oxford linebacker has followed Shannon’s career and believes that the Gators coach can make him a better player.
“Coach Shannon knows what he’s doing, I watched him yesterday [Friday] while he was coaching,” Britt said. “He was telling the guys why he got on to them and he’s big on the small things like false steps. Coach Shannon has coached a lot of legendary guys in his career.”
When Britt returned to campus on Saturday, he got the chance to tour the campus and he was impressed by what he saw.
“The campus was beautiful, the Swamp was beautiful as well,” Britt said. “I was amazed and how big the campus really was. The new indoor practice facility was great too and I got to go in there and watched them play some games.”
Heading into the visit Britt didn’t know a lot about Florida, but he left the visit with the Gators high on his mind of top schools.
“Florida is high on my list, they will be one of my top schools,” Britt said. “I love what Coach McElwain is doing down there. I like Coach McElwain, Coach [Drew] Hughes and the rest of the coaching staff down there. They make me feel wanted down there.”
Not only did Britt enjoy the visit, but his family did as well and they hope to return to Gainesville for another visit shortly.
“I’m going to come back down there as soon as I can, even though it’s six hours away I like it down there,” Britt said. “My family loved it down there too during the visit. My mom, dad, grandma, aunt and my aunt’s boyfriend were all with me and they want to come back with me.”
Britt is one of the top prospects in Alabama but he says that doesn’t mean he’s a lock to stay instate.
“There are some guys that want to stay instate but I feel like if you’re good then you can go anywhere you want and play,” Britt said. “I do notice that Florida is starting to get some Alabama players to come to them though.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Auburn was the team that many thought that was leading for Britt but he says he has no leaders right now and is no rush to announce a decision. The Alabama linebacker is high on the Florida Gators recruiting board.